Gas Tank Explodes in Banking District

Just before 2 p.m. today, a Tropigas tank exploded, setting fire to a banking area building near Sushi Express.

Witnesses reported a series of explosions before the fire broke out and initially thought it was an earthquake.  One person, Elias Garcia, was transported to Santo Tomas Hospital for treatment of serious burns. The General Director of the National Civil Protection Service, Arturo Alvarado, indicated that the burning building was a total loss.

Roy Watson, General Manager of Tropigas, said that the company regrets the gravity of the occurrence and is cooperating with the authorities and the fire brigade to determine the exact cause of the explosion.

La Prensa reports.